Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
The English language often relies on subtle cues to convey meaning, and adverbs like "too" play a crucial role in shaping perception. The sentence "The mangoes are too cheap to be good" presents a preconceived notion – a judgment that low price inherently equates to low quality. This is a common cognitive bias. Removing the adverb "too" fundamentally alters this implication, shifting the focus from a value judgment to a simple statement of price. This analysis will explore the semantic impact of removing "too" and the resulting change in the sentence's overall message.
Understanding the Original Sentence
The original sentence, "The mangoes are too cheap to be good," employs the adverb "too" to express a degree exceeding what is considered acceptable or reasonable. In this context, "too cheap" doesn't simply indicate a low price; it implies that the price is *suspiciously* low, suggesting a corresponding lack of quality. The sentence conveys a negative judgment about the mangoes based solely on their cost. It operates on the assumption that quality and price are directly proportional – a common, though often flawed, belief.
The Impact of Removing "Too"
Removing "too" transforms the sentence into "The mangoes are cheap to be good." This seemingly minor change has a significant impact on the sentence's meaning. The revised sentence no longer carries the same inherent skepticism or negative judgment. It suggests a condition or a possibility rather than a certainty. It implies that while the mangoes are inexpensive, their quality is still a question to be determined, rather than being automatically assumed as poor.
Semantic Shift and Implication
The removal of "too" shifts the sentence from a declarative statement of perceived quality to a conditional statement. The original sentence asserts a belief ("they are not good because they are too cheap"). The revised sentence presents a relationship ("it is difficult for them to be good given their price"). This subtle difference is crucial. The original sentence is dismissive; the revised sentence is more open to possibility.
Analyzing the Grammatical Structure
The phrase "cheap to be good" functions as an infinitive of purpose, indicating the condition under which the mangoes might be considered good. This construction highlights the challenge of achieving quality at a low price, rather than directly condemning the mangoes. The original sentence used "too…to," a construction indicating impossibility. Removing "too" alters the construction to suggest a difficulty, not an impossibility.
Illustrative Examples
Consider these scenarios:
- Original Sentence: A tourist hears, "The hotel is too cheap to be safe." This immediately raises concerns about security and hygiene.
- Revised Sentence: A tourist hears, "The hotel is cheap to be safe." This suggests the hotel is affordable, but the tourist still needs to assess its safety independently.
The difference in implication is clear. The "too" creates a presumption of negative quality, while its absence leaves room for independent evaluation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, removing the word "too" from the sentence "The mangoes are too cheap to be good" fundamentally alters its meaning. The original sentence expresses a negative judgment based on price, while the revised sentence presents a conditional relationship between price and quality. This demonstrates the power of adverbs in shaping perception and the importance of precise language in conveying accurate information. The change shifts the sentence from a dismissive assertion to a more nuanced observation.
Answer Length
This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.